The Lottery of Cuts

As I embark upon my first post in quite some time, it would be perverse for me not to comment on the subject that's currently on everyone's lips; the C-word.  Cuts.


Today, I shall explore the idea that the severity of the cuts may well depend on where you live; and maybe not for the reasons that some people may have you think.

Oh the Hypocrisy!

Yesterday I wrote in support of the Coalition's plans to increase tuition fees, and explained why I was hoping that the House of Lords would allow the reforms to pass through the Upper Chamber without amendment.  Despite my obvious pleasure at the much-needed reforms finally being passed, I find myself less than comfortable with the way in which they have been passed.

Tuition Fees (Take Two)

A few months ago I wrote in support of tuition fees.  The post was very well received, provoked some interesting debate on the matter, and was even featured on the leading Conservative website, ConservativeHome.  Given the recent votes on Coalition plans to increase tuition fees, and the fact that the House of Lords will tonight vote on whether to ratify the Coalition's plans I feel that the time is right to elucidate a little on my previous post.  Given the previous post, I shall forego some of the more basic details and dive right in at the deep end...

Where do the parties stand?

Last week I received a very interesting and thought provoking e-mail from a friend, asking for my thoughts on the state of the parties.  In replying I thought that he actually raised a very interesting point, and an issue worth sharing.  So here's his question, and my response.

Feeling the benefit

This year's Conservative Party Conference could well prove to be one of the most important for the party in recent history.  With the Spending Review set to take place on October 20th, the Conferernce could well provide a sounding-board for the party to test public reaction to a number of planned cuts.

 If this is the approach that the Government is taking, then they will be most relieved that they have tested the waters with their proposals to cut child benefit for families where at least one parent is earning over £44,000 a year.

The Trouble With Ed

On Saturday afternoon, what seems to have been one of the longest leadership contests in history came to an end.  To the surprise of many, Ed Miliband beat his brother, David, by the narrowest of margins (0.6%) to win the leadership of the Labour Party.  Whilst Labour can look forward to opinion poll leads in the coming months, could the appointment of Miliband-The-Younger prove to cause long-term problems for Labour?

One of the main themes surrounding the election of Miliband as Leader of the Labour Party has been the manner in which he has been elected.  Whilst his older brother, David, won the lion's share of votes from MPs and members alike; Ed Miliband was able to overhaul his brother's lead based on Trade Union votes alone.

In his interview with Andrew Marr yesterday, the charge was levelled at Miliband that the Unions abused their position in order to ensure that he was returned as Labour's new leader.  From the actions of the Unions in the leadership election, it is clear that they felt that there was just one man amongst the candidates that best represented their views - and now they have got him.

The offending envelope sent out by GMB

Surely, now that the Trades Unions have helped to elevate Miliband to the position of power that he was after, they will seek a return for their good deed.  It is clear that the Unions, without whose funding the Labour Party would surely go bankrupt, will have a very large bargaining chip to use on Miliband in order to force their agenda through.

For them, it is very much a case of 'the right man at the right time'.  In the face of Coalition cuts, the Unions will be looking for someone to defend their members at the despatch box; and I am certain that this policy will reap rewards - for now.

What I am also certain of, is that the Unions stand to lose an awful lot of goodwill from the public-at-large should they push through with their plans for an 'Autumn of Discontent' following the spending review on October 20th.  Should these strikes go as planned, there is the potential for the country to be brought to its knees.

Given the lack of support for the RMT Union in the recent London Underground strikes, I cannot see there being much sympathy for the Trades Union movement should the entire country be brought to a standstill.

And if this is the case I can see it being extremely damaging for the Man of the Unions, when the country goes to the polls in 2015.

An important session for the Coalition

Today, the House of Commons will return from its summer recess and, arguably, will move into what could prove to be a make-or-break session for the Coalition government.  So what lies in store for the fledgling Coalition in the weeks and months ahead?