Wednesday's Budget wasn't about tax or the economy - it was about the character of the man who aspires to be our Prime Minister

As today's YouGov poll shows - Wednesday's Budget has not fooled the British people.  The Conservative lead is higher since Gordon Brown got to his feet than it was before.  Wednesday's Budget has done nothing to alter the course of the British economy or the growth of the British state.  Under Gordon Brown, Britain has become a much more European-style economy with high levels of tax and spending and with a huge increase in dependency.  If only we had an Opposition willing to deliver a fundamental change of course (but that's a topic for another day).

The 2007 Budget did nothing to repair the damage that Gordon Brown has done to UKplc.  But it did - hopefully once-and-for-all - prove that the Chancellor is every bit as manipulative as Tony Blair.  This was a Budget where all the tax rises were hidden and the tax goodies trumpeted. 

George Osborne got it right yesterday during the Commons debate on the Budget:

"If people want to know what this Chancellor would be like in No. 10, they should look no further than yesterday’s Budget—stealthy, sneaky and unable to tell the truth. He is not the man who can restore public trust in Government, because he is the reason why people do not believe a word that they say any more."

It is a lasting legacy of the New Labour project - a project that we must never tire of describing as the Brown-Blair project - that hardly anyone believes a word from any politician.  One challenge for Mr Osborne is to devise a new way of handling the whole Budget process so that it is transparent and that announcements will become more believable.

Comments

[sjm]

I listened to a tranche of You & Yours on R4 yesterday about the Budget and its effects. One expert on the panel was allowed to be truly sour and critical of Brown, and the general tone, including that of the public who phoned in, was resoundingly negative. So even the BBC couldn't put a happy gloss on the ghastly mess.

[malcolm]

Yes Tim, you're right. There's not really much else to say is there?

[Scotty]

"If only we had an Opposition willing to deliver a fundamental change of course (but that's a topic for another day)."???
Tim, a government delivers a fundamental change of course not opposition parties. We are now at a 15 year high in the polls and to move back to the kind of rhetoric used by previous leaders since 97' would be Gordon Brown's trump card.
You have fallen for the trap that Brown set with that budget, we have a successful strategy which is hurting the government and increasing our chances at the next election. We have a strategy of "sharing the proceeds of growth" it resonates with the electorate because it promises stability.

[Editor]

If you look at the data on economic competence Scotty it is Brown that has fallen to our level not us soaring upwards. We've hardly moved in economic competence. I hope that we'll get a fundamental change of course when we get into Government. I'm just not optimistic.

[Scotty]

"I hope that we'll get a fundamental change of course when we get into Government. I'm just not optimistic."
Tim, the first fundamental change I want to see from a Conservative government is competent, efficient, honest and responsible management of all ministerial departments before we start making affordable tax cuts.
I would have been much more in line with your view a few years ago, but now with children, a mortgage and relatives in the armed forces and needing to use the NHS regularly my priorities have changed.

[Editor]

Thanks Scotty but I think you and the party's thinking might be behind the curve. I think people increasingly believe that most of the money spent on the causes you rightly identify with has been wasted. At the same time their real disposable incomes are static. I think our message should be better use of record state spending and tax relief for hardworking families.

[Martin Curtis]

you have hit the nail on the head on the issue of trust.

I really wish the Conservatives could focus as much on improving politics as a public service as much as it does on public services per say. I truly believe that sorting out politics is the biggest problem we face today.

[Michael McGowan]

Tim, I think it is an insult to some European economies to describe ours as European. The cost of living in Germany is noticeably lower than here; their taxes are falling a bit (I know because I pay German income tax); and their healthcare systems and school systems, while not perfect, are not built on Stalinist mediocrity. There is quality, universal coverage and choice, all things which Labour and the Tories are telling us we cannot have. The German public transport system reflects very poorly on ours. Yes, they have very high unemployment but we have a lot of disguised unemployment and unlike them we did not take onto our books a bankrupt member of the Eastern Bloc.

[Mark Fulford]

I think it’s clear that Brown’s objective for this budget was to position himself for the leadership. The 20p rate was a clumsy grab at popularity, not a genuine lowering of taxation. He's brazenly subjected the country to a whole load of expensive bureaucratic changes because the only think he cares about is getting the top job.

He's so out of touch and has such a low opinion of we citizens, it never crossed his mind that we’d see through his manoeuvring. Well I’m sorry Mr Brown, you’ve cocked it up. I only hope you haven’t cocked it up so badly that you don’t get the leadership.

[richard bailey]

This Budget and indeed the political activity of the last few days, provides all the evidence you need that Cameron is now running the country.

Cameron leads on environment, Gordon turns green. Cameron leads a Doctors rally, Gordon (& Tony) hold tortuous press conference on public services. Cameron looks for tax cuts, Gordon delivers - but just to out flank Cameron.

Gordon's mistake is that everything he is currently doing is designed to destroy Cameron. He can't help himself. He is the ultimate class warrior.

The trouble is that twisting and turning to outwit Cameron is a world apart from leading the country and his obsession will be seen for what it is.

He is betraying his principals, the poorest in society and his supporters, but Gordon's "destiny" is more important than good or principalled leadership.

Brown is the epitomy of true Scottish socialist / communist conviction, but despite the opportunity, he has done nothing for the poor. If anything, he has made their lives vastly worse by complicating the benefits process beyond their intellectual capability, failing the education system and standing by while crime and disorder in our poorer communities becomes endemic.

I despise his conceit. I despise his class warfare. And I despise his cynical, deceitful approach to government.

Abominable Chancellor - disastrous Prime Minister in waiting.

[EML]

If I could put my optimistic hat on for a moment, I think this budget is going to be good for us in the long term. Just like the issue of immigration, the sight of a Labour minister talking about tax cuts will decontaminate the issue. It's slightly depressing that the these two issues (immigration and taxation) have been so muted because of the strength of the lefties in this country, but I suppose our preserverence on the topics has meant that Labour had no choice but to follow suit eventually.

Anyway, bit by bit the bad effects of this budget are being revealed - such as the sneakiness, spin, and increase in costs for low-income people and small businesses. Brown scored an excellent hit on the Conservatives for a few hours, but the lasting effect will be bad for Brown, I think.

[David Belchamber]

Scotty @10.17:
"Tim, the first fundamental change I want to see from a Conservative government is competent, efficient, honest and responsible management of all ministerial departments before we start making affordable tax cuts".
This, surely, is the prerequisite for starting to cut out waste and then taxes.
If you were to ask what was the common denominator currently among the following: the NHS, the Home Office, Defra, large government IT systems, the administration of tax credits etc, you would assuredly get the answer: "incompetent management".
I would argue alongside Scotty that the tories must first convince voters that they will be more competent in managing all the offices of state (and I have yet to be convinced that they can), after which savings will accrue and taxes can be cut.
However, that is not to say that the tories should hold back from producing radical policies now to simplify the tax system and point the way to weaning us gradually away from dependency.

[Patsy Sergeant]

I have noticed that several journalists are now using the word 'stalinist' as an adjective to describe Mr. Brown - Chancellor and would-be PM - or his policies.

[Curly]

It can be very unfortunate how modern technologies and news gathering can shape the way that the world thinks, just as the message was beginning to get through about the slipperiness of Gordon Brown, our minds are turned to thoughts of cricket, crime, and the murder of a wonderful Englishman in Kingston.

Looks like the headlines will save Gordo a few more squirms!

[Patsy Sergeant]

I am putting this posst on this thread as it concerns almost every aspect of Labour policy affecting this country during their tenure, with perhaps the exception of gambling - Ms. Jowell's favorite theme (apparently).

There was a serious article in the Mail on March 20th, Tuesday (I've been very busy), by Harriet Sergeant (no relation), entitled 'The Lost Boys'. I called it 'serious' because the journalist spent a year investigating and interviewing young disaffected youth around Brixton and no doubt other places.

One very significant point that she made regarding the lack of male role models for young males - she said 'black boys', but I would include young white males as well; the point she made was -- 'For a start, 80 per cent of teachers in state schools are females. Second, black parents complained to me too often that their sons were excluded because the white (female) teachers were unable or unwilling to exert discipline for fear of being accused of racism.

'Ray Lewis is the charismatic black head of the Young Leaders Academy, an organisation intent on transforming aggressive, violent, semi-criminals into leaders, with highly disciplined and intensive after-school and weekend training.

'He is often invited into schools to give advice on restoring discipline, and recalled the white management and head-mistress of one school saying:- 'Give us permission to discipline black children.'

'He looked at them dumb-founded, 'Isn't that your job?' he asked.'

Harriet Sergeant goes on to talk about the failings of the Benefit system, and makes the case that the generous Benefits - nearly twice those in Germany and three times those of France! - has systematically destroyed the family.

She writes: 'One man in his 30's explained the best way to qualify (for benefits). He claimed to be depressed or stressed. How could a doctor prove otherwise? He went on: 'Anyway, its depressing not having a job, innit?'

'We have managed to find jobs for half a million immigrants that come to this country every year, but not for the children of former immigrants in Brixton.'

That last paragraph says so much about this pernicious government. In fact, Ms.Sergeant has four more paragraphs in the article, referring to young blacks in Brixton and weapons and 'unrest' and the possibility of another Brixton Riot. So the article finishes on a decidedly bleak note.

[LordHawhaw]

If only we had an Opposition willing to deliver a fundamental change of course (but that's a topic for another day)."???

Oh dear just when things seemed to be getting better on this site. Where is the evidence we could win an election with such an agenda? I am old enough to remember there was a more general acceptance of the need for a more radical agenda in 1979 because it was obvious the social democtratic model had failed. Today voters feel the economy is doing OK but they are paying a bit too much tax and their not convinced the money is being well spent. DC's gradualist approach is right for our times. I actually do wish we could win with a radical programme but I can see any evidence that we would.

[LordHawhaw]

If only we had an Opposition willing to deliver a fundamental change of course (but that's a topic for another day)."???

Oh dear just when things seemed to be getting better on this site. Where is the evidence we could win an election with such an agenda? I am old enough to remember there was a more general acceptance of the need for a more radical agenda in 1979 because it was obvious the social democtratic model had failed. Today voters feel the economy is doing OK but they are paying a bit too much tax and their not convinced the money is being well spent. DC's gradualist approach is right for our times. I actually do wish we could win with a radical programme but I can see any evidence that we would.

[Michael McGowan]

Even if the Tories win, I doubt whether incremntalist tinkering with a failed system is going to deliver them many years in office.

[John Coles]

Now, now! Less of this calling for radical policies for the economy! As Mr Cameron and Mr Osborne have been telling us, stability of the economy is essential and we must share the proceeds of growth.

[Dog Biter]

Now, now! Less of this calling for radical policies for the economy! As Mr Cameron and Mr Osborne have been telling us, stability of the economy is essential and we must share the proceeds of growth

John, I presume you're being sarcastic?

[malcolm]

The budget seems to have gone down like a lead balloon on Labourhome. Browns' doing well isn't he?

[John Coles]

Dog Biter - how on earth could you suggest such a thing? I'm mortified!

[David Sergeant]

"Now, now! Less of this calling for radical policies for the economy! As Mr Cameron and Mr Osborne have been telling us, stability of the economy is essential and we must share the proceeds of growth."

Some people seem to have been asleep for 30 years. Talk radical - lose elections, perfectly straight forward. Maggie did not have "radical" policies in 1979, she just had soundbites "role back the frontiers of the state". Blair in 1997 didn't have radical policies, just soundbites "24 hours to save the NHS" and a few policies to abolish some slightly radical Tory policies, e.g fund holding GPs.

Of course this sort of stuff is one thing Brown was trying to get going with his budget. Stalin (the real one) used to refer to "useful idiots", some seem to be contributing, Telegraph editors can't be the only Brown's useful idiots.

[John Coles]

I think the beloved Margaret would have preferred "roll" but that aside, she had a philosophy and that is what is completely missing from the current Conservative Front Bench - I won't flatter them by calling them the Opposition.
The Editor's comment: "If only we had an Opposition willing to deliver a fundamental change of course" stands. Whether this intellectually-bankrupt, ingrown coterie of Old Etonians proposing to tinker (thank you Michael McGowan) with Brown's economic legacy will ensure the Conservative party a return to power remains to be seen. I wouldn't put money on it.

[ali maguire]

Guardian attacks Brown:

http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/news/archives/2007/03/23/gordon_brown_gets_picky.html

[TomTom]

Thatcher had North Sea Oil - any future Government has Iranian, Russian, Nigerian, or Saudi Oil to think about and how many men will need to fight to secure it - ie how much we spend on Defence - since China is now the world's No1 energy user and can send 50 million to Itran to secure oil supplies.

We live in a world more akin to the 1900s with competition for resources and yet politicians talk as if we were in the 1960s trying to spend abundance on social policy secured with cheap oil.

66% British exports are manufactured goods but FTSE companies are going private and offshore so the dividend outflow adds to our trade problems.

I don't care about "radical" - I just want economic policies to prevent this country sliding into poverty. Germany is sinking with South Korea already at 75% German per capita income and Italy about to overtake it.