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Gordon Brown
A COUNTRY which has prices and
the cost of living spiralling out of
control day to day, which has both
food and fuel poverty, which detains
people for long periods without trial,
which treats the international
community with derision, and its
electorate with disdain.
I do not refer to Zimbabwe, but
Gordon Brown's Britain.
In the wake of last Thursday's
local elections it is hoped that this
Stalinist leader finds himself in the
throes of deposition - not only by
the electorate but also by his party.
Examine the reasons for
discontent: the abolition of the 10p
tax rate, the financial insecurity of
businesses due to taxation
anomalies and the worry
experienced by every household
(particularly the poorer paid) due to
rampantly rising costs - all were
created by Mr Brown who sinks into
the shadows while his stooge,
Chancellor Alastair Darling,
weathers the storms.
This Prime Minister, who has
admitted he was wrong about the
10p tax rate, has shown he is
unworthy of leadership of not only
the Labour Party, but this country.
He will be beaten in the next
General Election - as and when he
has the courage to call it.
Colin T Mortimer, Pity Me,
Durham.
I WOULD never take pleasure in
saying "I told you so" but as the
last week's local election results
came in I couldn't help but recall a
letter I submitted last July about a
conversation I had with my good
friend and fellow HAS
correspondent, Christopher Wardell.
The topic was that Labour will not
win the next General Election.
Ladbrokes and William Hill would
have loved our money at that time.
Among other HAS
correspondents, the one who makes
a habit of defending his "Iron
Chancellor" should now feel lonely.
Conservative Jim Tague, be ready.
Your party will be forming Her
Majesty's next government. Instinct
says smaller taxes will follow. It's
what Tories do best.
To David Lacey, I would wager on
a Tory government within two
years. Shadow Chancellor George
Osborne will put money back in
your pocket, where it belongs.
Don't ask this present lot how to
spend it. They've had their chance -
and they'll have years in opposition
to think about where they went
wrong.
Des More, Darlington.
9:25am Tuesday 6th May 2008
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CommentPosted by: David Lacey, Newcastle on 10:44am Tue 6 May 08
Another golden shot Des. But what I really want is value for the taxes I pay and I'm afraid that no Government, Labour or Tory seems capable of delivering this objective. If we had a fresh, young Maggie at the helm we would be in with a chance but I can't see Cameron doing the job.
There's no way out of the mess we are in and with some estimates showing the population will double in the next 40 years, I'm glad that I won't be around to experience the grotesque society that will follow.
Another golden shot Des. But what I really want is value for the taxes I pay and I'm afraid that no Government, Labour or Tory seems capable of delivering this objective. If we had a fresh, young Maggie at the helm we would be in with a chance but I can't see Cameron doing the job.
There's no way out of the mess we are in and with some estimates showing the population will double in the next 40 years, I'm glad that I won't be around to experience the grotesque society that will follow.
Posted by: Peter Dolan, Newton Aycliffe on 10:57am Tue 6 May 08
As David says there is no party with any values these days, all seem to have one object in mind and that is to get as much out of politics as possible before they are ejected and replaced with another party holding the self same objects in mind.
As David says there is no party with any values these days, all seem to have one object in mind and that is to get as much out of politics as possible before they are ejected and replaced with another party holding the self same objects in mind.
Posted by: Des More, Darlington on 12:56pm Tue 6 May 08
I can understand your concerns David, concerns that Dell (Christopther Wardell) shares with you. I am confident now as i always was, David Cameron is a fresh, vibrant leader, more than capable of facing the challenges this Labour govenment will leave behind, just as Mrs T did in 1979.
Taxes and how they are distributed is always a major concern, i am sure the burden on those that actually contribute will reduce, as those that do not are no longer indulged to the extent they are now.
I can understand your concerns David, concerns that Dell (Christopther Wardell) shares with you. I am confident now as i always was, David Cameron is a fresh, vibrant leader, more than capable of facing the challenges this Labour govenment will leave behind, just as Mrs T did in 1979.
Taxes and how they are distributed is always a major concern, i am sure the burden on those that actually contribute will reduce, as those that do not are no longer indulged to the extent they are now.
Posted by: David Lacey, NEWCASTLE on 4:13pm Tue 6 May 08
Dear Des - I love your optimism. However I have a horrible feeling that when the Treasury books are scrutinised by the new Chancellor he will find a very deep black hole. Last time it took two Parliaments for Maggie to rectify Callaghan's madness. I expect something similar post new Labour.
Dear Des - I love your optimism. However I have a horrible feeling that when the Treasury books are scrutinised by the new Chancellor he will find a very deep black hole. Last time it took two Parliaments for Maggie to rectify Callaghan's madness. I expect something similar post new Labour.
Posted by: Jim Tague, Bishop Auckland on 10:58pm Tue 6 May 08
Lads,
Then how come last year newly elected Tories in Hammersmith & Fulham reduced council tax by 3%, and publicity spending by 35%, the latter assisting the former, by allowing local businesses to advertise on council publicity material and newsletters.
How come many Tory councils have to raise 80% of their budget, but many northern Labour councils only raise 30-40%...yet the Tories still manage to hold down council tax bills, whilst providing services. Just how come Wandsworth Band D average is £694?
I will be writin to colleagues down south soon regarding specific matters of finance and hopefully I'll keep you all informed about any reply.
Lads,
Then how come last year newly elected Tories in Hammersmith & Fulham reduced council tax by 3%, and publicity spending by 35%, the latter assisting the former, by allowing local businesses to advertise on council publicity material and newsletters.
How come many Tory councils have to raise 80% of their budget, but many northern Labour councils only raise 30-40%...yet the Tories still manage to hold down council tax bills, whilst providing services. Just how come Wandsworth Band D average is £694?
I will be writin to colleagues down south soon regarding specific matters of finance and hopefully I'll keep you all informed about any reply.
Posted by: Des More, Darlington on 2:02am Wed 7 May 08
David the debt Labour will leave is imminent. 2011, the "Iron Chancellor" made sure of it.
He wanted credit for economy that had nothing to do with him.
Let him now take credit for the price risies, he asked you to thank him for low prices.
Ask me in three years from now, when all the well meaning Labour men that will vote Labour regardless, ask me who took the money back from the many socialist funds the present mob, pours your money into, ask me when Mr Osbourne pours it into your pocket.
They have rode the gravy train too long. 11 years too long. They have the cheek to question the price of the Monarchy, which by the way is less than 1p, Black Wedensday? How many more has this govenment paid for? Billions more is your answer!
If i could speak for the greatest peace time Prime Minister, i know she would say, Labour, Labour, Labour, out, out out! Nothging New about spending thew working man's pound, it's what they do!
David the debt Labour will leave is imminent. 2011, the "Iron Chancellor" made sure of it.
He wanted credit for economy that had nothing to do with him.
Let him now take credit for the price risies, he asked you to thank him for low prices.
Ask me in three years from now, when all the well meaning Labour men that will vote Labour regardless, ask me who took the money back from the many socialist funds the present mob, pours your money into, ask me when Mr Osbourne pours it into your pocket.
They have rode the gravy train too long. 11 years too long. They have the cheek to question the price of the Monarchy, which by the way is less than 1p, Black Wedensday? How many more has this govenment paid for? Billions more is your answer!
If i could speak for the greatest peace time Prime Minister, i know she would say, Labour, Labour, Labour, out, out out! Nothging New about spending thew working man's pound, it's what they do!
Posted by: Des More, Darlington on 2:12am Wed 7 May 08
There is no such thing as New Labour, the failed experiment would not exist if the unions, and Labour grass roots never wanted it. They thought they were fooling the middle classes, then when in power turn to same old socialism. Here is the news! Mrs Thatcher made the working class Middle class! If we know longer sponser a job that was created by your Union, i thank that great lady!
There is no such thing as New Labour, the failed experiment would not exist if the unions, and Labour grass roots never wanted it. They thought they were fooling the middle classes, then when in power turn to same old socialism. Here is the news! Mrs Thatcher made the working class Middle class! If we know longer sponser a job that was created by your Union, i thank that great lady!
Posted by: TimeBandit, Co Durham on 8:09am Wed 7 May 08
Surely, Mr More, you are not refering to the sniveling, whining puppet who made Britain a client state of the USA. The woman would n't even have dared to go to the toilet unless President Reagan said she could.
Surely, Mr More, you are not refering to the sniveling, whining puppet who made Britain a client state of the USA. The woman would n't even have dared to go to the toilet unless President Reagan said she could.
Posted by: Paul Leake, Bowburn, Co. Durham on 10:26am Wed 7 May 08
Jim: because most of the North's Labour councils have mostly band A & B properties while the Tory councils have averages of D, E & F? Some of the central London councils are also exceptional in the amount they take from on-street parking - Westminster probably makes more each year from parking charges than most Northern councils could make selling the family silver.
Jim: because most of the North's Labour councils have mostly band A & B properties while the Tory councils have averages of D, E & F? Some of the central London councils are also exceptional in the amount they take from on-street parking - Westminster probably makes more each year from parking charges than most Northern councils could make selling the family silver.
Posted by: David Lacey, Newcastle on 11:12am Wed 7 May 08
Steady on Des or you'll have a coronary!! As for TimeBandit - I really feel sorry for you. It's clear to me that you have a very different set of values to me. I'm comfortable with mine and presmuably you are comfortable with yours. Let's just leave it at that.
Steady on Des or you'll have a coronary!! As for TimeBandit - I really feel sorry for you. It's clear to me that you have a very different set of values to me. I'm comfortable with mine and presmuably you are comfortable with yours. Let's just leave it at that.
Posted by: Des More, Darlington on 3:49pm Wed 7 May 08
David, you have excellent values, i have never had any reason to disagree with your sentiments.I take your point that i do tent to rant, especially in the early hours fuelled by a night on the town haha. I will not give another sermon on Time Bandit's comments, as i'm sure the fact that Mrs Thatcher returned our country to being a power on the world stage, is noted as a historical fact.
It was of course the Reagan/Thatcher partnership that brought an end to the cold war. President Reagan is on record stating he had the utmost respect for Mrs Thatcher and her strong leadership.
David, you have excellent values, i have never had any reason to disagree with your sentiments.I take your point that i do tent to rant, especially in the early hours fuelled by a night on the town haha. I will not give another sermon on Time Bandit's comments, as i'm sure the fact that Mrs Thatcher returned our country to being a power on the world stage, is noted as a historical fact.
It was of course the Reagan/Thatcher partnership that brought an end to the cold war. President Reagan is on record stating he had the utmost respect for Mrs Thatcher and her strong leadership.
Posted by: Jim Tague, Bishop Auckland on 9:26pm Wed 7 May 08
Paul,
Absolutely true in many respects, areas down south (on average) have more properties in higher council tax bands.
Therefore, it goes without saying that people (from what is said to be a disadvantaged area) in Band A/B/C should be paying considerably less than those in Band D down south...but unfortunately it isn't always the case.
I would hazard a guess that a large percentage of people across Durham are not paying the full amount of council tax attributed to the property in which they reside.
Until we start addressing the reality of the local situation, or indeed at least admitting to it, then how on earth do we find solutions?
Paul,
Absolutely true in many respects, areas down south (on average) have more properties in higher council tax bands.
Therefore, it goes without saying that people (from what is said to be a disadvantaged area) in Band A/B/C should be paying considerably less than those in Band D down south...but unfortunately it isn't always the case.
I would hazard a guess that a large percentage of people across Durham are not paying the full amount of council tax attributed to the property in which they reside.
Until we start addressing the reality of the local situation, or indeed at least admitting to it, then how on earth do we find solutions?
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