Aug 28 2007
Why Gordon Brown’s poll lead is slipping
Latest polls show the Brown honeymoon coming to an end. The idea that he is new and different has taken several knocks in the last few weeks.
Our troops are still fighting in difficult conditions in Iraq. Hopes that Gordon Brown would bring them home early have been dashed, whilst he also seems unwilling to reinforce or protect them properly.
The credit crunch and continuing higher interest rates have reminded people that economic management has not been good in recent times. People are feeling the pinch from Brown’s higher taxes and money squeeze. Conservative plans for tax cuts got a great welcome, as people are fed up with paying more but not getting value for money.
Some hospital Maternity and A and E departments are still under threat of closure, depsite all the money being spent, reminding people just how much waste there is and how they are not getting what they want from all the tax paid.
Recent violent crime has reminded people that "tough on crime, tough on the causes of crime" was just a slogan.The Home Secretary has not looked as if she knows what to do to curb violence.
In summary, it looks like business as usual from Blair’s deputy. Tony may have been airbrushed out of the script by the spin doctors, but until there are some decisive changes in policy and direction people will not buy the idea that this is a new government with something good to offer.
It is unlikely Brown will go for an early general election against this background.
If I were advising Gordon Brown on going early I would say do the following:
1. Withdraw the troops as soon as possible from Iraq, notifying our US allies and leaving a few people to assist with further training of the Iraqi security services.
2. Announce an end to A&E and maternity unit closures, and the expensive reconfigurations that go with them.
3. Announce more community based policing with visible police presence in the worst areas for anti social behaviour, drug dealing and violent crime, cutting the paperwork and less important issues to create more police time
4. State that tax reduction and reform on Irish lines will be important to finding jobs for the 5.4 million out of work, and stimulating the economy in the slow growth parts of the UK.
4. Announce a Referendum on the Constitution on the same day as an early General Election.
Anything less invites disappointment at the polls.
John Redwood has been the Member of Parliament for Wokingham since 1987. First attending Kent College, Canterbury, he graduated from Magdalen College...
Labour are going to have a difficult job getting that champagne cork back into he bottle. Their arrogance over a transient lead in th polls was stagering. The big problem Labour now face is that they have clearly run out of ideas. Even the policies announced at Brown’s cornonation were a revamp of old proposals, a sure sign that they have nothing new in the pipeline. Where are Labour’s big ideas going to come from? After the failure of 3.4 billion wasted on the New Deal its obvious that the 5.4 million jobless in our country are going to remain out of work. After all the money ‘Lost’ in the NHS Labour has just about given up on our health service and is actually closing hospitals. This is a government with an inverted midas touch. Their record of failure is astonishing.
reply: Yes it is a reverse Midas touch - they are the alchemists who turn our gold into their base metal.
I agree with your analysis, and it does not bode well for the future of the Brown Government if it is entangled in so many messes already.
[...] Brown bounce is deflating 28 08 2007 On his blog John Redwood gives some clear reasons why Brown’s poll rating is slipping and why
Continuing with the ‘reverse Midas touch’ theme:
“Brownfinger
He’s the man, with the re-verse Midas touch
A spider’s touch
Such a cold finger
Beckons you to enter his web of sin
But don’t go in
Hopeful words he will pour in your ear
But his lies can’t disguise what you fear
For a taxpayer knows when he’s kissed her
It’s the kiss of death …
From Mister Brownfinger
Taxpayer, beware of voting red yet
His legacy is debt
All that nonsense he pours in your ear
But his lies can’t disguise what you fear
For a taxpayer knows when he’s kissed her
It’s the kiss of death …
From Mister Brownfinger
Taxpayer, beware of his sales of gold
This house will fold
His morals are sold
Where is our gold?
He sold our gold
He sold all our gold
All of our gold
He sold our gold”
Sorry that was meant to read ‘It’s the kiss of debt… From Mister’
Here’s to drunken typos.
brownfinger? yuk! don’t go there. It’s already been up his nose.
Renaming Cameron’s ‘don’t let brown let EU down’
STOP BROWN BETRAYING BRITAIN
* Immigration out of control
* Taxes through the roof
* Education Standards through floor
* Hospitals closing
* Gangs on streets
* Soldiers ill-equipped at war
*