The next election is a race that both main parties seem anxious to lose – Michael Meacher
While Michael Meacher’s comments on the Tories are well worth reading, it is his criticism of his own party’s economic policy that attracts the attention of Yr Obdt Srvt today.
“Despite being ahead of the Tories on every policy area bar one- the economy, where the Tories now lead by a full 25% – Labour now seems transfixed by trying to outdo them in promises of austerity, a bigger turn-off for voters than it’s possible to imagine,” writes Mr Meacher, echoing words published in this blog only days ago.
“Labour has allowed itself to be outflanked by Tory claims that
- It was responsible for the financial crash (as though the bankers had nothing to do with it),
- Osborne’s recovery has repaired the damage (as though the ‘recovery’ isn’t fragile and unsustainable, with no demand to promote growth), and
- Austerity is the only way forward (when it has failed on every count, including the crucial one of rapidly reducing the deficit, which is now actually rising).
“Why should disillusioned electors vote for Labour when it insists it’s going to be at least as tough as Osborne in enforcing austerity for another five years?”
Why indeed. Any answers, Mr Balls? Mr Miliband?
“Voters need hope: why doesn’t Labour get behind a policy of public investment to expand the economy, create jobs, raise incomes and government revenues, and thus pay down the deficit far more quickly and effectively than endless spending cuts?”
Vox Political has been saying this since the blog was founded back in 2011.
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They have no conviction and sway with the wind. The moment any ‘criticism’ of their policy is mounted, they back down. They won’t stand up to the spin around the causes of the financial crisis, as they seem fearful of takin on the right-wing media (even though newspaper circulation is dwindling). Austerity, as it is enactioned by the current govermnet, clearly is not working. It feels like a race to the bottom as neither Labour or Tory is willing to admit that the prevailing economic orthodoxy needs to be questioned.
It is unbelievable that Labour do not shout down the endless Tory lies and inform the country of a few truths. I even watched Question Time last night and at no time did Stella Creasy put down Grant Schapps lies of we have halved the deficit etc etc. Perhaps there is no difference between them after all. I know one thing that another five years of Tories wont be worth facing up to, I fear for my future under them.
Totally agree Mike… my feelings exactly. I wish Michael Meacher was Labour leader.