The key passage on most of those being that most of those positions got ditched the second Blair didn't have to pay lip service (I'd take Michael Dugher's position on renationalisation as far more meaningful than anything Blair said), and we're also talking about a hugely different political context (I doubt an opposition Blair would have most of those positions if he were leader now in a 1996 mindset).

 

Immigration though, fair enough - but we knew that already.

 

And of course, the big one which the article didn't mention: public spending, where Blair simply said he'd stick to modest increases, rather than signing up to massive cuts when services are already on life support.

 

You have a point about the context of the times, but that only proves what i've been saying: that Miliband is not more left-wing "in real terms", the only difference is that the whole political debate has moved well to the Right since the 1990s (which Labour themselves have partly allowed to happen) and the rich kick up a far bigger stink about the most mild of progressive policies now than they did back then. That one is prepared to self-identify as a "socialist" when the other didn't, or that one occasionally makes an abstract speech about the problems of free markets without any policies to address those problems, doesn't affect how left-wing the actual policy platforms are. Hence why Miliband is doing so much worse at holding onto left-wing/"core" voters than Blair did.

Edited March 18, 201510 yr by Danny

I do think Ed is more left-wing in real terms, the only problem is that it doesn't show in policy positions because he's hamstrung by the nature of his election as leader and a Cabinet which broadly didn't support him and won't give him free rein, which hamstrings him from doing everything he'd have liked.

 

I do think that in instincts on how he'd react to things as Prime Minister and policies once *actually* in government he'd be the most left-wing leader of the major developed countries (Scandinavia excepted for obvious reasons) since early Mitterand.

Good budget, few things in it that really help me so very pleasing.

 

Can someone more enlightened to politics - if Labour get in to power, what is the likelihood that they will scrap some of the stuff announced? Or can they not for certain announcements?

It's pretty rare that any individual measures of a pre-election budget get scrapped unless they're either especially unpopular, or so trivial for what they cost that the money's easily reallocated elsewhere. I can't see stuff like the personal allowance increase getting reversed.

apart from the ones previewed in recent days, I thought most of the announcements had the caveat "if we get elected" rather than "you're def getting this election vote winning policy anyway". It's sort of like a bribe, where you get half of a big value note now and the other half after you've voted.

 

 

It's pretty rare that any individual measures of a pre-election budget get scrapped unless they're either especially unpopular, or so trivial for what they cost that the money's easily reallocated elsewhere. I can't see stuff like the personal allowance increase getting reversed.

 

I was more concerned about the Help to Buy schemes, especially the new ISAs which will help me massively. But yes, I think it would be very bad PR for Labour to scrap something that seems to be quite positive from what I've read thus far.

I was more concerned about the Help to Buy schemes, especially the new ISAs which will help me massively. But yes, I think it would be very bad PR for Labour to scrap something that seems to be quite positive from what I've read thus far.

I can't see Labour scrapping the new ISA rules. They may want to have a rather closer look at yet another attempt to bribe first-time buyers. The reason people can't afford to buy is that prices are too high. Osborne's response has been too introduce a series of measures which simply lead to even higher prices.

Anyway, how many tax cuts did we all get today? If we're going to have to deal with this bollocks we might as well get a cheaper pint out of it.

 

Based on the BBC Calculator, I've got a tax cut of £132, which I can't complain about.

And in Northern Ireland news, a brand new party has just qualified for a party political broadcast slot over here. And if you thought that you'd need to be high to want to start a political party here, well...

 

Omagh man Barry Brown has confirmed that he will contest the West Tyrone seat in the May Westminster election for cannabis reform party CISTA.

 

He will be one of three candidates that CISTA will field in the North, along with Andrew Magorrian (South Down) and Glenn Donnelly (North Down).

 

Mr Brown’s inclusion on the CISTA ticket brings to seven the number of candidates on the West Tyrone ballot for May 7, the highest since the constituency was formed in 1997.

 

CISTA’s manifesto focuses upon the legalisation and regulation of cannabis within the UK. It cites the examples of successful models in the United States, such as Colorado, where medicinal use of cannabis has been legalized.

 

By contesting three separate constituencies, CISTA are now eligible to broadcast one party election broadcast on the BBC.

£127 a year better off! *votes Tory*

*realises works out at £2.50 a week; votes Labour*

I can't see Labour scrapping the new ISA rules. They may want to have a rather closer look at yet another attempt to bribe first-time buyers. The reason people can't afford to buy is that prices are too high. Osborne's response has been too introduce a series of measures which simply lead to even higher prices.

 

Whilst I agree with the latter point, there is no way any government will do that, be it Conservative/Labour/Lib Dem. Political suicide currently. Ten years time maybe less so, but not right now.

Based on the BBC Calculator, I've got a tax cut of £132, which I can't complain about.

Same for me. Would celebrate but £132 over 12 months is shit all tbh. Better than paying more tax tho.

The Help To Buy ISA has been described as one of the most economically illiterate policies of all time.

 

OBR also complaining that the Tories handed in working v late and beyond 2016 very little is much beyond 'rough approximations'. An empty budget designed to please the easily-pleased. Well that worked then?

The Help To Buy ISA has been described as one of the most economically illiterate policies of all time.

 

OBR also complaining that the Tories handed in working v late and beyond 2016 very little is much beyond 'rough approximations'. An empty budget designed to please the easily-pleased. Well that worked then?

 

I've just been reading the policy more. I think it's good, but not sure it actually benefits me that much if I can only have 1 x ISA account. Only being allowed to put £200 a month is not going to get me a house anytime soon :\ I'm currently saving around £600-700 a month.

I've just been reading the policy more. I think it's good, but not sure it actually benefits me that much if I can only have 1 x ISA account. Only being allowed to put £200 a month is not going to get me a house anytime soon :\ I'm currently saving around £600-700 a month.

 

Exactly. It's politically quite smart because it gives the IMPRESSION that it helps normal people, but to actually benefit in any meaningful way, you need to already be pretty rich.

Edited March 18, 201510 yr by Danny

Exactly. It's politically quite smart because it gives the IMPRESSION that it helps normal people, but to actually benefit in any meaningful way, you need to already be pretty rich.

 

Well I do think it helps normal people, and certainly the 'working man'. In some 'cheaper' areas shall we say, it will be very useful just because house prices are not as expensive. If you save £12,000 over how ever long it takes you (minimum 4 years) then the extra £3000 would be really helpful. But it's such a long process, and in that respect I think it benefits people that currently rent and cannot afford to substantially save towards a deposit. However reading more, I didn't realise you could have more than 1 ISA account. So it's certainly useful for people to top their deposit money up.

The Sun doing their best to boost destroy the Tory vote:

 

It helps drive up the price of houses and doesn't actually attack the main problem which is the shortage of houses. Short-termism as described on Newsnight just now.

 

It will win them votes because people are easily fooled.

It helps drive up the price of houses and doesn't actually attack the main problem which is the shortage of houses. Short-termism as described on Newsnight just now.

 

It will win them votes because people are easily fooled.

THIS. The fact that there's been five years of this government and I can't remember a single significant statement on housing (despite it being possibly the most important political issue in the medium term) is pretty damning.

 

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Also on the Miliband point, what makes his job harder is that some of his Shadow Cabinet still doubt he can win. Obviously getting into power would solve that.