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Current waste 15%! My estimate would be nearer 25 -30%. Waste and incompetence is completely built into this govt - it is defined by it. It is an entirely politicised organisation endlessly campaigning for re-election with incompetent, lazy and unsuitable ministers having that as their first objective.
William Norton: How we could share the proceeds of thrift
William Norton is a solicitor. He has been an adviser on tax affairs and legislation to the Conservative frontbench and was a member of the permanent staff of the James Review on Taxpayer Value between 2004 and 2005. William was also the referendum agent for the victorious No campaign in the ...
Current waste 15%! My estimate would be nearer 25 -30%. Waste and incompetence is completely built into this govt - it is defined by it. It is an entirely politicised organisation endlessly campaigning for re-election with incompetent, lazy and unsuitable ministers having that as their first objective.
William Norton: How we could share the proceeds of thrift
William Norton is a solicitor. He has been an adviser on tax affairs and legislation to the Conservative frontbench and was a member of the permanent staff of the James Review on Taxpayer Value between 2004 and 2005. William was also the referendum agent for the victorious No campaign in the ...
Some truths are now overwhelmingly seen and firmly held by the majority of the public: Brown first as Chancellor and then PM is a total and utter disaster of the first magnitude: every further day he is in charge, every further decision of his and his team [despite some more sensible injections of personnel] makes this country's position worse: his character mitigates against an objective view of the facts and therefore almost precludes a correct solution: one thing can change this - a general election. And for this country's sake I hope he has the the residual honesty and courage to call one.
Gordon Brown’s economy: hubris turns to nemesis
This week is yet another week of horror for the British economy. Monday’s banking rescue package contained several useful ideas – including the “Asset Protection Scheme” (the insurance scheme for “toxic” assets) and the “Asset Purchase Scheme” in which the Bank of England will buy corporate bond...
And when the EU is all 'buttoned up', signed sealed and delivered - how much will the smaller nations flourish then? You can be sure it will be run for the 'big boys' and let the devil take the hindmost. The huge favourable terms delivered to smaller nations up till now is nothing but massive bribery to keep them 'onside'. It will not be ever thus.
"Poll shows Lisbon Treaty heading for shock defeat"
The Irish Times: "The poll shows the number of people intending to vote No has almost doubled to 35 per cent (up 17 points) since the last poll three weeks ago, while the number of the Yes side has declined to 30 per cent (down 5 points)." I hope the Irish realise that they'll have to vote again...
Whilst the rising approval rates for the conservatives and DC are very welcome it could be argued that they should be very much better. The last months have seen an unprecedented series of highly visible disasters for the labour party - coming on top of some years of growing dissatisfaction with its performance and incompetent arrogance. And yet the polls show that we are barely ahead if translated to seats. There is a long, hard way to go to ensure that the conservatives have a majority over all other parties at the next election - but i think it will be done.
Satisfaction with Cameron rises in May
ConservativeHome's April survey found a sharp 19% drop in net satisfaction with David Cameron. I noted, at the time, that the UKIP row, a negative reaction to the heavy emphasis on the environment and indifferent opinion polls may have contributed to the drop. This month, most of that drop ...
Re the polls - only so far so good. There's a long way to go - or, possibly a short way - it is still feasible that Brown will be leader earlier than we think and then calls an early election. He will then benefit from the now very unfair boundaries and - marginally - a still very flawed voting system. The tory and liberal parties should really be campaigning very hard to get both these grossly unfair labour biases rectified quickly.
Tories at 41% in MORI poll
Tomorrow marks the sixth month anniversary of David Cameron's election as Tory leader. On the eve of that anniversary a MORI survey for today's Sun gives the Tories a 10% lead over Labour. The Conservative Party also breaks through the 40% barrier in the MORI survey - reaching 41%. The LibD...
Where can i find this "Panel" and/or its findings/views?
Can you trust ConservativeHome's surveys?
The ConservativeHome Members’ Panel is increasingly being quoted in the media as the best guide to opinion within the Conservative Party. On Wednesday night – at the party leadership’s request – I gave a short presentation on recent Panel findings at the Built To Last roadshow event. Earlier th...
In my [long] life I've known many Scots -[particularly in the armed forces]- and like them. Volatile, passionate and loyal to a degree in my experience. And Scotland has played a huge part in the history of the UK. Whether the current situation is unfair and biased in favour of the Scots [and I think it is] is not the most important thing. The point is that it seen to be so - and increasingly. This is almost totally due the actions of this thoroughly arrogant, bad and incompetent government. We are ruled overwhelmingly by Scots who have virtually all the main heavy weight Departments of State. I have reached the point where i believe the conservatives should pledge, if elected, to offer two choices to Scotland and Wales in a referendum. Full independance or full members of the Union. I would be sorry, indeed, if the chose to leave the Union - but the presents situation becomes more disgraceful every day. And if independance is chosen it leaves open for the future the possibility of arrangement or alignment on mutually beneficial terms.
The Unfair Kingdom?
"Brown spends 22% more on the Scots than on the English" will crown a story in tomorrow's Business newspaper. The Business' Allister Heath has gained access to an analysis from Williams de Broë of 2004-2005 public expenditure data. The analysis reveals that the taxpayer spends £6,623 per perso...
I will only echo all the things said above of Eric Forth MP. It is very sad news indeed and a complete shock. My condolences to all his family and friends. Parliament and this country are the political losers. I wish there were many more men such as he in Parliament.
Eric Forth MP has died
Rt Hon Eric Forth died last night. The MP for Bromley & Chislehurst was in the Commons last week and reported stomach pains to colleagues. He looked unwell and sought medical advice after dislocating his shoulder. It was revealed to him that he had advanced and inoperable bone cancer. Mr For...
I do agree with you - I was meaning his presentation has got better - more assured, mostly.
PMQs: Cameron gets angry
Picture: Charles Clarke sat some distance away from the Prime Minister at PMQs today. Gordon Brown - for the second week running - didn't turn up at all. David Cameron again used all of his six questions to ask Tony Blair about the Government's mishandling of asylum, immigration and deportatio...
Incidentally, the latest PMQ's is held on the BBC web site [as well as other goodies like Question Time, Any questions, etc].
Also, incidentally, I have long thought that it must be worth investigating and, if possible, challenging the relentless mantra from this government that due to their policies for the NHS and the money poured into it there has been a tremendous reduction in mortality from heart disease and cancer. So, to come back to Question Time last week good old Charley Falconer dutyfully trotted out these glowing statistics. However, his questioner - a cardiac specialist - brought him up short by explaining very precisely and impressively that there had been no deviation whatever in the declining graph line for heart mortality since Labour came to power as compared the to the years prior. Falconer literally had no answer. If this is correct, and I suspect strongly that it is - and if cancer rates are anything like the same then I really do think they - labour - should be challenged very strongly - [Mr Lansley]. It is at least 50% of their justification of what they are doing with the NHS.
PMQs: Cameron gets angry
Picture: Charles Clarke sat some distance away from the Prime Minister at PMQs today. Gordon Brown - for the second week running - didn't turn up at all. David Cameron again used all of his six questions to ask Tony Blair about the Government's mishandling of asylum, immigration and deportatio...
I have watched every Cameron PMQ's [& every one, almost, before that] avidly. I am biased because I want him to make a significant impact. Blair is greatly better than he used to be, both on PMQ's and generally, in my view. I'm talking about presentation - on content he is just about exactly the the same - shallow and slippery for the most part - everything for that moment's soundbite. You have to be very quick and knowledgeable about the subject to bring him up sharp in PMQ's. [thinking about today's PMQ's I think there were at least 2 lies]. However, I think DC does quite well at PMQ's and sometimes he is very effective.
PMQs: Cameron gets angry
Picture: Charles Clarke sat some distance away from the Prime Minister at PMQs today. Gordon Brown - for the second week running - didn't turn up at all. David Cameron again used all of his six questions to ask Tony Blair about the Government's mishandling of asylum, immigration and deportatio...
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Likeable Cameron versus competent Brown?
Anthony Wells over at the indispensable UK Polling Report has got hold of the full data set of the BPIX/ Mail on Sunday poll that ConservativeHome reported on earlier. Anthony reveals: "There were also a series of questions asking people to say which of a series of positive words (likeable, c...
Regarding the 'attention to detail' comment I made. I did not mean he was a competent Chancellor, Rob G. For what it's worth I think he is an utterly disastrous Chancellor for the country. It is just that, by working hard, he finds devices to cover, forestall and delay the consequences of his policies. [The ridiculous and juvenile device of moving the 'golden rule' goalposts is a typical example]. I consider the economy to be in a dreadful mess - but this state of affairs is only just beginning to be perceived by the general public.
And, of course, it is true that Blair will have to be gone by the next election.
Likeable Cameron versus competent Brown?
Anthony Wells over at the indispensable UK Polling Report has got hold of the full data set of the BPIX/ Mail on Sunday poll that ConservativeHome reported on earlier. Anthony reveals: "There were also a series of questions asking people to say which of a series of positive words (likeable, c...
It's a very complicated situation. I think Blair & Brown have a visceral hatred of each other. Blair will not want to go with his 'legacy' in tatters and absolutely will not want Brown coming in like the cavalry to save the country/party. He will have to be prised out of office [maybe when he passes Thatcher's record it may change-though i think not - or if he sees a euro presidency opening up]. The party and/or Brown may pluck up courage to do it - but it will be messy. As for Brown as PM...? Not really an attractive personality and obsessive. But he does apply 'attention to detail' to his job - something which is essential and utterly lacking in the majority of this this thoroughly incompetent lot. But remember..he gathers under him utter numskulls and nonentities - to ensure he can outshine them and bolster his insecurity. Also, he is never there when there is bad news..in parliament he puts up his underlings to answer awkward questions - he can't do that as PM. I think he is a political coward. And the biggest question of all - one that will be completely decisive. The economy. I've been predicting it all going wrong for him for 2 yrs or more..but it hasn't happened. I still think it will come - but when?
Likeable Cameron versus competent Brown?
Anthony Wells over at the indispensable UK Polling Report has got hold of the full data set of the BPIX/ Mail on Sunday poll that ConservativeHome reported on earlier. Anthony reveals: "There were also a series of questions asking people to say which of a series of positive words (likeable, c...
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